Lynnwood and Marysville earn the Healthy Communities Award for clearing the air

SNOHOMISH COUNTY, Wash.– The Snohomish Health District is honoring the cities of Lynnwood and Marysville with its Healthy Communities Award. Keri Moore, Healthy Communities Specialist at the Health District presented the award to Lynnwood at the Nov. 12 meeting of the Lynnwood City Council. Health District Deputy Director Pete Mayer will present the Marysville City Council with the award on Nov. 25.

The Healthy Communities Award honors cities, organizations or other businesses that have adopted 100% tobacco-free grounds policies, or other policies that exceed the current requirements of Washington’s Smoking in Public Places law (RCW 70.160). All businesses by law need to be smoke-free indoors and maintain a smoke-free outdoor environment 25 feet away from all building entrances, windows that open, and ventilation units.

Recipients of the Healthy Communities Award surpass the legal minimum with written policy to protect the health of employees, clients, and students from the adverse effects of secondhand smoke.

The city of Marysville passed its tobacco-free parks ordinance in February 2013, and Lynnwood did the same in August 2013. Both cities posted “tobacco-free” signs at all of their parks. Violations of city ordinances incur fines or other penalties. Cities adopt tobacco-free parks ordinances to create a healthier environment for park users and to conserve the resources used to clean up tobacco-related litter.

“The cities of Lynnwood and Marysville are taking very seriously the health of its employees, residents, and visitors by addressing smoking -- the leading underlying cause of death in Snohomish County,” said Dr. Gary Goldbaum, Health Officer and Director of the Snohomish Health District. “Local public health recognizes and appreciates the commitment that these cities have made to creating healthy parks for active lifestyles.”

The local public health agency provides additional health information about tobacco on its website, www.snohd.org , keyword search “tobacco.” Optionally, you may call the SHD Tobacco Resource Line at 425.339.5237.

On Nov. 21 the Snohomish Health District also will promote the National Great American Smokeout on the radio (KSER 90.7 FM, 0830), and campus activities around tobacco prevention at Edmonds Community College.

Established in 1959, the Snohomish Health District works for a safer and healthier community through disease prevention, health promotion, and protection from environmental threats. Find more information about the Health District at www.snohd.org, and please “like” us on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/SnohomishHealth.